Name: Jim and Bonnie Wannemuehler

Parish: St. Philip Church, Posey County

Married, number of children: Married for 44 years; five children, 16 grandchildren

How long have you been a member of your St. Philip Parish? Jim: All my life (69 years). Bonnie: Almost 40 years. Growing up, I was a member of St. Joe in town until I was in high school; then we joined St. Theresa Parish in Evansville, where we were married.

Tell us three things about yourself: Jim: I am outgoing, I like to volunteer for things and help out at church, and I’m a family man. Bonnie: I’m very family oriented and l like to attend my grandchildren’s sporting events. I’m also outgoing, and I try to give of myself as much as I can.

What was your childhood like? Where did you grow up? Jim: I live next door to the house I grew up in. I was the sixth of nine children, and we lived in a three-bedroom home with our parents and grandparents. It was pretty cramped, and there was no indoor plumbing. My older brother, Bob, used to joke that he went to the seminary so that he would have a place to eat and sleep. Growing up, we always had a big garden. For fun, we had ball games and played basketball up in my uncle’s barn. We had lots of cousins to play with. Bonnie: I was in a family of seven: three brothers and three sisters. My oldest sister is a nun, and my middle brother is a priest. Our dad worked at Swift and Co., so we always had a lot of meat on the table. We lived on the north side of Evansville. There was a good bunch of neighborhood kids, and we used to play games in the alley like kick the can and steal the bacon. We’d also roller-skate down the side streets, seven blocks back and forth! Kids couldn’t do that today with all the traffic.

Who influenced you as a child? Jim: My mother was a big influence on me. With all the trials and tribulations, she had in her life, she never complained. She was just a wonderful person. Bonnie: The Church itself was in influence on me. We went to church a lot when I was young . . . First Fridays, First Saturdays and Wednesday novenas. I sang in the choir at St. Joe.

Who do you consider to be a hero today? Jim: Today’s priests, with all the adversity, scandals and the additional workloads. I admire those who stuck with it. Bonnie: I am a Eucharistic minister, and I take communion to the sick and nursing home residents. They are heroes to me because even with their aches and pains, they are cheerful and happy and are still able to smile. To me, that’s a hero.

What was your first job and what did it pay? Jim: My first job was helping people who were garden farmers who took their produce to town to sell. It started out at 25 cents an hour. I have worked in construction most of my life. I have been a bricklayer for almost 50 years now, and I still work at it some. Bonnie: I worked at a gift shop in town for two or three months, and then I worked at Swift and Co. in the office for three years until I got married.

What are your early memories of church and Catholic school? Jim: Growing up, our family was very religious. It seemed like every time the church doors opened, we were there. During the summer time, I went to church every day, and I remember ringing the bells for Mass. Back then, St. Philip School was a two-room school with two teachers … I had each one for four years. They were both Benedictine sisters. I graduated from Mater Dei . . . I was in the first class to go all four years at Mater Dei. Bonnie: I remember that some of the nuns who taught us at the Catholic school were strict. One of my favorite teachers was Sister Mary Julia, who taught seventh grade. When I went to Memorial High School, the girls and boys were in separate classes.

What are you involved with at your parish? Jim: I’ve been an officer in almost all the parish organizations. Now, I head up the lawn mowing crew. I am a lector, and I am also active in the St. Vincent de Paul. Bonnie and I received the Brute Award a couple of years ago. Bonnie: I’m a Eucharistic minister, and I am now on the parish council and stewardship committee. I am an active member of the Legion of Mary, and I’m on a church cleaning crew.

Do you have any hobbies? Jim: I like to garden, and I enjoy sports. Years ago, I used to do a lot of hunting and fishing. Bonnie: Like to read, especially mysteries. One book I recently read was the one about Father Lex. I currently reading one about the Eucharist that I bought at the Day of Discipleship. It is called Come to the Light, and it is by Father Fragomeni.

Have you encountered a miracle or God’s intervention in your life? Jim: I’ve had a couple of heart surgeries that were very serious. I have very good health now, and it hasn’t impaired me in any way. To me, that is a miracle. These were times when I relied on my faith . . . I turned everything over to God and hoped for the best. Bonnie: I’m a sister-in-law to Father Bob Wannemuehler. It is a miracle that he recovered from his last big illness.

What have you learned?  How are you different now than 30 or 40 years ago? Jim: With age, you change your outlook on a lot of things. I have settled down a lot from what I used to do . . . age and health has a lot to do with that, too. I have been blessed with a real good wife. Bonnie: I try to take one day at a time and try not to worry too much and take it as it goes. Eventually it comes around if you keep your eyes on God. I’m more relaxed than I used to be . . . I don’t take everything quite so hard.

What is your favorite religious item? Jim: I have a rosary that I bought in Rome when I was in the service. The pope blessed it, and I sent it to my mother. After she died, the rosary came back to me. Bonnie: The rosary. I had one I received on my 15th birthday, but I lost it three years ago. I also have a big wooden rosary that our son, Dennis, got when he was in the Navy in the Azore Islands. It hangs on our kitchen wall.

Tell us about a favorite saint: Jim: St. Joseph. I think what he was asked to do with the birth of our Lord was really special. Bonnie: The Blessed Mother is my favorite saint. My birthday is the feast of the Holy Rosary, Oct. 7. I always talk to her, and ask her to carry my prayers and requests to the Lord.

What makes a success? Jim: To treat others the way you would want them to treat you. Bonnie: All five of our children stayed or moved back to St. Philips. They all belong and participate at St. Philip Parish. I feel this is a success.

What’s the best advice you could give someone? Jim: Live by the Golden Rule and go to school to get all the learning you can get. Bonnie: Always do your best and never forget to pray to the Blessed Virgin and our Lord. Ask for help when you need it and thank them when you do have something turn out good for you.

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